Some Are Cherry, Some Are Lemons
You don’t think of fruits and vegetables as fast food?
Well, you haven’t seen some of the entries in the Lunch Box Derby, an annual grade-school competition sponsored by the Washington State Apple Commission for miniature race cars made out of produce.
The contest is open to fourth- and fifth-grade classes nationwide. Cars that travel the farthest down ramps in classroom races will be considered for the national competition, based on distance and creative design. Four finalists will face off in late March in Washington, D.C., with the winners receiving $200 each in savings bonds and $1,000 for their school.
The 1998 winners were a team from Lynch Wood Elementary in Portland, whose dual-zucchini speedster with apples and oranges for wheels traveled 31 feet, 10 inches.
“Sometimes the cars run great,” said Jim White, regional produce sales manager for Albertson’s supermarkets, a co-sponsor. “Sometimes they turn into tossed salad. That’s what makes it fun to watch.”
This year’s entry deadline for classroom winners is Feb. 26. For more information, teachers can write to Lunch Box Derby, P.O. Box 550, Wenatchee, WA 98807, call (509) 663-9600 or visit www.lunchbox.org.
Fido nutrients
Speaking of produce, the top three ways today’s adults avoided eating vegetables when they were kids, according to a survey for V8 juice:
1. Fed them to the dog.
2. Hid them in their napkin.
3. Sat at the table for hours until they were finally excused.
Mouths of babes
Today’s kids aren’t just eating their vegetables, they’re cooking them.
McCormick spices is offering a free collection of winning recipes submitted by middle-school students in its “Chili Cook-off for Children” contest, which benefited the National Center For Missing & Exploited Children. Send a stamped, self-addressed envelope to McCormick & Co., Attention: Chili Promotion, 211 Schilling Circle, Hunt Valley, MD 21031.
Dough boys and girls
Kids and adults alike can enter the “Bread: Memories and Traditions of a Lifetime” contest sponsored by the Wheat Foods Council and American Bakers Association.
Adults may submit family recipes using or stories about white bread, while children can send in drawings of favorite meals featuring bread. Grand prize in each category is $2,000. Proceeds from a booklet of winning recipes will benefit the Spina Bifida Association of America to help prevent birth defects.
Entry deadline is Feb. 27. For complete rules, write to Bread Contest/NMK, 2405 Grand Blvd., No. 700, Kansas City, MO 64108-2522.